The End of Business Conferences: What’s Replacing Them

For decades, executives have flown across continents to attend large business conferences.
The idea was simple: gather the industry in one place, fill the agenda with big-name speakers, and give people a chance to “network.”

But ask most senior leaders today, and you’ll hear a very different story. Many will admit that the ROI on these massive gatherings has been shrinking. They spend three days away from their companies, sit through hours of presentations, and often return home with little more than a badge, a tote bag, and a stack of business cards that never turn into meaningful relationships.

Conferences aren’t disappearing overnight. But their dominance as the way executives connect is undeniably fading. So, what’s replacing them?

Why the Traditional Conference Model Is Losing Relevance

The big stage still dazzles, but for many leaders it feels increasingly hollow. According to EventMB’s 2023 study, 64% of executives admitted they find large conferences “superficial.” The keynote might be inspiring, the venue impressive, but the hallway conversations rarely go beyond surface-level pleasantries.

Senior leaders, especially at the C-Suite, simply don’t have time for “drive-by” networking anymore. They want substance. They want dialogue that helps them solve the problems keeping them up at night.

And they’re not alone. A Harvard Business Review survey showed that nearly 70% of executives prefer smaller, focused forums over mega events. This shift in sentiment is why we’re seeing the end of the conference era as we knew it.

What Leaders Actually Want Today

Executives want to hear from peers who have faced the same challenges—not just polished speakers with a slide deck. They crave candor, not scripted Q&A sessions.

They want to share their own experiences without worrying about being quoted on social media. They want confidentiality and trust built into the room.

This is why curated, small-group gatherings are taking off. Instead of 5,000 nametags, imagine 12–15 senior leaders sitting around a single table. The dynamic changes completely. You’re not an audience member—you’re a participant.

Why Smaller Roundtables Work Better

When the group is small, conversation becomes fluid. No one hides behind a badge or blends into the crowd. Instead, everyone contributes, learns, and builds trust.

These settings also break down the performance element of conferences. There’s no stage, no spotlight—just people talking honestly about the issues that matter most. That’s why executives often describe these experiences as “refreshing” or even “relieving.”

It’s not about replacing conferences entirely, but about rethinking the format of connection. Here’s what sets smaller roundtables apart:

• Confidentiality: Leaders can be honest without fear of exposure
• Relevance: Discussions are laser-focused on shared challenges
• Engagement: Everyone speaks, not just a keynote star
• Actionability: Leaders leave with practical insights, not just notes

A number of organizations have leaned into this model in recent years. Some trustable platforms like Ortusclub has built its reputation around confidential executive roundtables, giving leaders exactly the kind of depth and candor that large-scale events often fail to deliver.

The Hidden Cost of Big Conferences

Another reason conferences are losing appeal is the cost—both financial and personal. Sponsorship packages run into six figures. Travel and accommodation add even more.

But beyond money, there’s also the opportunity cost. When a CEO spends three days at an event where the most memorable moment is the keynote coffee break, that’s three days not spent solving urgent problems back at the company.

It’s no surprise that many leaders are redirecting that time into smaller, more targeted gatherings where the outcomes are tangible.

The Future of Executive Gatherings

The end of the classic conference doesn’t mean the end of gatherings—it means evolution. Hybrid formats, intimate dinners, virtual roundtables, and curated forums are shaping the next chapter.

We’ll still see big events, but they’ll be complemented—or in some cases replaced—by highly curated spaces where leaders feel heard and understood. And frankly, those are the spaces that leave executives saying, “That was actually worth my time.”

In many ways, the future belongs not to the biggest stage, but to the smallest table. And that’s where the real conversations—the ones that change companies and sometimes even industries—are happening.